As the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 heads toward a tense Group B finale, off-the-pitch drama threatens to overshadow Sunday’s high-stakes clash between Nigeria’s Super Falcons and Algeria.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has launched a formal investigation into the Algerian women’s national team over alleged violations of tournament regulations and statutes. The inquiry, announced Thursday, comes amid claims that Algeria engaged in politically charged actions aimed at minimizing the visibility of Morocco — the host nation.

Though CAF’s statement withheld specific details, media sources including The New Arab report that Algerian officials have covered or obscured references to “Morocco 2024” on official logos, tournament insignia, and sponsor branding. These actions reportedly include placing tape over the logo of Morocco’s football federation and the Royal Air Maroc branding — both key symbols tied to the host country’s identity and national pride.

The scandal revives long-simmering geopolitical tensions between Morocco and Algeria, primarily centered around the Western Sahara dispute. The two North African neighbors have severed diplomatic ties since 2021, and their icy relationship has often spilled over into football arenas.

CAF emphasized that it would refrain from further comment until the investigation concludes. However, insiders suggest that Algeria could face severe consequences — from fines to possible expulsion from the tournament — if found guilty of violating CAF’s non-political conduct regulations.

This isn’t the first time football has been used as a proxy battlefield for political friction between the two nations. In early 2023, Morocco boycotted the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Algeria after being denied direct air access, while fan chants and controversial opening ceremony remarks further strained ties.

The current controversy adds an extra layer of uncertainty to Algeria’s critical group stage encounter with the Super Falcons, who top Group B with six points. Algeria sits second with four, making Sunday’s fixture pivotal for knockout stage hopes.

CAF’s next move could reshape the tournament — and once again, show how politics and sport remain deeply entangled in African football.